concerning the lawfulness of it, by the resolution of some famous Divines, in particular Dr. Sheldon, and Dr. Henchman, who were afterwards promoted to the Sees of Canterbury and London." Sir Matthew, however, declined accepting any new Judge's Commission under Richard Cromwell: he said he could act no longer under such authority. (Life, etc. p. 49.)

P. v.

66

.

By a motion made by Laud," etc.] See 2nd vol. of "Laud's Remains," fol. pp. 66, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 86, 88, 96, 130, 145. This work throws light on the state of the University, during the Chancellorship of Laud. pp. 81, 82, 173, 179, 188, 189, are not without their interest.

P. xiv. 1. 5, from the bottom. Done by Langbaine, etc.] Langbaine "assisted Sanderson and Zouche in the composure;" also, of the "Reasons of the Present Judgment," etc. Wood's Athenæ, Art. Langbaine, pp 221. v. ii. ed. 1721, or Ed. Bliss, quarto.

P. xv. 1. 6, from the top. and the Negative Oath, etc.]

Sent the Covenant

A copy of these

notorious impositions on the consciences of men, is here subjoined

A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the three Kingdoms, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

"We Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, in the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the Providence of God living under our King, and being of one Reformed Religion, having before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty, and his Posterity, and the true publick Liberty, Safety, and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private Devotion is included; and calling to mind the treacherous and bloody Plots, Conspiracies, Attempts, and Practices of the Enemies of God against the true Religion, and how much their rage, power, and presumption are of late, and at this time increased and exercised; whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of

England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, are present and publick Testimonies; We have now at last (after other means of Supplication, Remonstrance, Protestations, and Sufferings) for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the Example of God's People in other Nations; after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most High God, do swear:

I.

"That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the Grace of God, endeavour in our several places and callings, the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, against our common Enemies; The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed

Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, Form of Church Government, Directory for Worship and Catechizing; That we and our Posterity after us may, as Brethren, live in Faith and Love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.

of

II.

"That we shall in like manner, without respect persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, Church Government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellours and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy,) Superstition, Heresie, Schism, Profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godliness, lest we partake in other mens sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues, and that the Lord may be one, and his Name one in the three Kingdoms.

III.

"We shall with the same sincerity, reality and

constancy, in our several Vocations, endeavour with our Estates and Lives, mutually to preserve the Rights and Privileges of the Parliaments, and the Liberties of the Kingdoms, and to preserve and to defend the King's Majesties person and authority, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms, that the world may bear witness with our Consciences of our Loyalty, and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majestie's just power and greatness.

IV.

66 We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been, or shall be Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, by hindring the Reformation of Religion, dividing the King from his people, or one of the Kingdoms from another, or making any faction or parties amongst the people, contrary to this League and Covenant, that they may be brought to publick Trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the Supream Judicatories of both Kingdoms. respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient.

I